Device for the training of scent discriminating detector dogs

ABSTRACT

The Scent-A-Wheel device consists of several different part connected together to form a device that acts like a carousel. The device consists of a hub (ball bearing on axle design), arms attached to the hub (“spokes”), a two-piece, adjustable shaft to support the hub and arms, and a base of four “legs” to provide stability and support. A ball bearing within the hub allows the hub and arms to turn on the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[Not Applicable]

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently there are no other known carousel devices available to companies attempting to provide security services to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and independent consultants internationally that allows one trainer present a stationary canine with different types of substances. The only known carousel devices used with animals are feeding devices for agrarian animals, or carousel type devices for training horses entailing the horse moving around in a circle. None of these devices are adaptable to, on scale with, as portable as, or even resemble the claimed invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This device is pertinent to entities providing security services and will be of great use in training canine units of various law enforcement and homeland security agencies in the detection and interdiction of non-permissive, hazardous, and/or explosive substances, specifically by allowing one handler to control a dog and provide him with six different locations for the placement of the training aids that can be removed and sterilized after each use. Because of the ball-bearing hub center, the dog can be walked around the device or the device can be turned so that each arm is presented to a stationary dog. The invention is adjustable in height to accommodate various sizes of dogs. The finished invention unit allows easy portability; the device can be broken down and carried on airplanes nationally and internationally in a golf-club sized tote bag as it is made of light-weight metal parts that are collapsible. All parts fit interchangeably and reassemble with ease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: This Figure is a not-to-scale drawing of the embodiment of the invention, showing each separate component part of the embodiment. Each part is numbered and corresponds with the component part list (Appendix).

FIG. 2: This Figure is a not-to-scale drawing of the carousel top piece of the embodiment of the invention, showing each separate component part of the carousel top piece. Each part is numbered and corresponds with the component part list (Appendix).

FIG. 3: This Figure is a not-to-scale drawing of the base piece/s of the embodiment of the invention, showing each separate component part of the base, including the legs. Each part is numbered and corresponds with the component part list (Appendix—lists each component part of the embodiment of the invention and the corresponding quantity of each component part).

FIG. 4: This Figure is a black and white photograph of the embodiment of the invention fully assembled and stationed for ready use.

FIG. 5: This Figure is a black and white photograph of the embodiment of the invention fully assembled and stationed for ready use.

FIG. 6: This Figure is a black and white photograph of the embodiment of the invention fully dissembled into its component parts.

FIG. 7: This Figure is a close-up black and white photograph of the center hub component of the embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of several interchangeable parts and employs a carousel design hub with spokes/arms protruding from the hub, attached to a height-adjustable shaft and a metal base providing stability and support. For the top carousel part of the unit, to the end opposite hub of each spoke, attached by nut and bolt are injection molded plastic elbows into which various training aids may be placed. The hub design consists of a ball bearing on axle for ease of rotation. The shaft of the unit (the “axle”) consists of two angled, tubular metal pieces; the top piece of the shaft slides into the bottom piece of the shaft. The two pieces are fastened together by a metal pin and cotter key. The hub is mounted on the shaft and secured by a cotter key. The cotter key is placed through the top part of the shaft that protrudes through the hole located in the center of the hub. The base of the unit consists of angled pieces that are attached to the bottom end of the shaft by one hitch pin and one cotter key for each leg. The unit is made of rust-resistant/inhibiting metal, but may consist of various metals, alloys, and/or molded plastics. 

1. A device consisting of arms attached to a hub and protruding outward from the hub like a wheel with spokes, which hub consists of a metal housing and two ball bearings, that in turn is attached to a shaft (“axle”) consisting of two connected pieces, which shaft is in turn connected to a base consisting of four “legs” (metal pieces) that provide support for the device and which device is used for the training of scent discriminating detector dogs. 